Touchdown must have higher than average intelligence when it comes to being a bull elk because his strategy to gain Mammoth and hold on till the end worked with very little trauma or drama. Except the drama created by the Touchdown/visitor/ranger show, of course.
Well before the rut began Touchdown moved to Mammoth and took control. There, he had food in the green grass and water over in front of the motel. And, the girls came. The Touchdown girls seem to like their guy and more than once I have seen what appeared to be affection between them and him. Moments of standing tenderly, nose to nose. The cow reaching up and nuzzling his side and him standing to enjoy the moment. I know that there was some chasing of the girls but sure did not see much of it this year, not like last year.
And, Touchdown seemed a little more mature and poised – sure of himself – and a little less aggressive. I believe that his take on the automobiles last year was over 40 but this year the official count is only 23. From what Ranger Keith told me, Broken Nose was the menace, taking out some cars and chasing residents around lower Mammoth.
I saw Touchdown coming my way a few times, and he certainly appeared to be doing so when the next photo was taken, but also saw people parked next to him and using a camera flash without consequences. I knew to keep going and get out of his way and so did not take any chances.
The rut is supposed to be over but I found Touchdown and several girls in the campground a couple of days ago. He and a gal were nuzzling and kissing while she was lying down but when she got up, she ran, of course. But when he ignored her she tried to take matters upon herself. Her aggression was met with tolerance from Touchdown but it looked pretty funny to me.
And, so, with the rut over with, Touchdown still has some ladies, as do most bulls and he is still calling, though ever so faintly.
